My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey

by Jill Bolte Taylor

I think it is vitally important that stroke survivors share and communicate about how each of their brains strategized recovery. In doing so, our medical professionals could be more effective during those initial hours of treatment and assessment.

I know various methodologies are practiced at rehabilitation facilities around the country, yet I remain a very loud advocate for the benefits of sleep, sleep, sleep, and more sleep interspersed with periods of learning and cognitive challenge.

For a successful recovery, it was important that we focus on my ability, not my disability

I needed my caregivers to teach me the 20 th time with the same patience they had the first time.

We encouraged everyone to soften their brow, open their heart, and bring me their love. Extremely nervous, anxious or angry people were counter-productive to my healing.